Nyungnay Compassion & Fasting Retreat 2025

Nyungnay is a special fasting and purification practice traditionally done by Kadampa Centers worldwide on Buddha’s Enlightenment Day, which is celebrated on April 15. Performed in conjunction with prayers to the Buddha of Compassion, 1000-Armed Avalokiteshvara, this practice is very powerful in purifying negative karma of body, speech and mind, as well as pacifying strong delusions such as desirous attachment and hatred. It is also a special method for receiving blessings and improving your experience of love, compassion and the supreme good heart of bodhichitta.

Please note: Attendance at Precepts at 6:30am is required on each day you plan to attend retreat sessions.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Precepts at 6:30am: At 6:30am each morning of this retreat, we take Precepts, a traditional ceremony in which we set the compassionate intention to refrain from negative actions of body, speech, and mind for a period of 24 hours.

Fasting: We also fast from food, eating at most only lunch on each day. (One may consume beverages throughout the day.) This moral discipline creates the foundation for effective and powerful purification during the retreat sessions, therefore attendance at Precepts is required each morning you plan to participate in the retreat.

Retreat Sessions: We will be chanting a special prayer called "Drop of Essential Nectar" to 1000-armed Avalokiteshvara. Within that prayer, we will collectively make physical or mental prostrations on behalf of all living beings for about 20 minutes while chanting a verse of praise to Avalokiteshvara. Comfortable clothing is recommended.

SCHEDULE

Monday, April 14

6:30 - 7:15am: Precepts (attending Precepts is required in order to participate in any retreat sessions today)

7:30 - 9:00am: Retreat Session 1

11:30am - 1:00pm: Retreat Session 2

1:00 - 3:30pm: lunch break

3:30 - 5:00pm: Retreat Session 3

Tuesday, April 15

6:30 - 7:15am: Precepts (attending Precepts is required in order to participate in any retreat sessions today)

7:30 - 9:00am: Retreat Session 1

10:30 - 12:00pm: Retreat Session 2

12:00 - 3:30pm: lunch break

3:30 - 5:00pm: Retreat Session 3

TEACHER

Gen Kelsang Zamling, Resident Teacher

BOOKS & MATERIALS

Retreat sessions will use the following traditional prayers (printed copies will be available for use during the retreat):

• A Pure Life

• Drop of Essential Nectar

COST

$22.50 per day

$45 for both days

Standard Members: 25% discount

Plus Members: free

Benefactor Members: free

Please note: to receive the member discount, your membership must be active at the time the event will take place. No one turned away for lack of funds; contact us to request financial accommodations. Refund policy

LIVESTREAMING

This in-person event is also available by livestream for monthly members. Register through the Livestreaming for Members page. Not a member? Learn more about our membership options here.